VINELAND — The Cape-Atlantic League National Conference Division II boys soccer standings have been tight at the top all season, but the Lions of Sacred Heart High School are doing their best to gain some separation.

“This was a big interdivision game for us,” said senior captain Drew Mesiano. “We had to stay mentally focused. We were really hyped about that Cedar Creek game and we had to make sure we didn’t look past these guys at all because they have some very skilled and very athletic players on that team.”

The Lions (9-4, 7-1) came out sluggish in the first half, but still took a 1-0 lead into the break.

With only 40 minutes standing between them and another division win, the Lions stepped up their game and picked up the pressure.

“Defensively we were trying to position ourselves better. Offensively we really wanted to slow it down because we had more skill players on the field than they did,” Mesiano said of the halftime adjustments. “And we knew if we could posses, we could control the game ... and take the air our of the game.”

After controlling play to start the half, striker Steven Tobolski found Bryce Aulffo streaking upfield in the 70th minute. Aulffo took the pass and did the rest, sneaking the ball between the legs of the Crusader goalie and in the back of the net.

The defense for the Lions limited the number of shots Dom Patitucci had to face in net. Freshman Lee Fiocchi was all over the field making stops and clearing the ball for the Lions.

Sacred Heart continued to push, even with the game in hand. The Lions got goals in the 74th and 80th minute to make sure the Crusaders had no thoughts of a late comeback.

“Its clutch,” Tobolski said of the late goals. “You have that lead, it’s a safety play. You have to keep playing hard and keep fighting.”

The two goals were almost identical, with just the roles reversing. The goal in the 74th minute saw Tobolski sending the corner in for Mesiano to head in. The goal in the 80th minute — following a stall tactic by the Lions to drain the clock — saw the pair connect again, this time Tobolski heading in a corner from Mesiano.

“As soon as I put that in, I looked at Stevie and said ‘I can’t believe that,’” said Mesiano. “(Then) holding the ball in the corner, that’s how you finish the game. It really made them lackadaisical on defense and I knew if I could put a ball across, Stevie can jump out of the sky and he’ll put one in.”

“That’s my thing man,” added Tobolski. “I can get up there and I can put it away.”

The Lions are now 8-2 in their last 10 games and have won four straight. Late season wins are always big, especially when they come in the division, and the Lions have been doing plenty of that recently.

“This late in the season, wins in general are huge,” said Lions head coach Joe Sterchele. “You don’t want to go into the playoffs on a loosing streak. Plus, the more wins, the better the seed.

“We have a nice homefield advantage, it would be real nice to have a home game — at least to start off the playoffs.”